Fiji Water recalls almost 1.9 million bottles over manganese and bacterial issues

Natural Waters of Viti Limited, the producers of Fiji Natural Artesian Water, have issued a recall for approximately 1.9 million water bottles due to the presence of three bacteria strains and manganese. Initially declared in March, the recall wasn't publicized until late last week.

The recalled water bottles were sold on Amazon, which has alerted consumers who made the purchases. The bottles were sold between February 1 and March 3, according to a Fiji representative.

The recall affects nearly 79,000 cases of Fiji Natural Artesian Water 500 mL (24 pack), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported. The impacted cases were produced on Nov. 11, 2023, Nov. 12, 2023, Nov. 13, 2023, Nov. 24, 2023, or Nov. 25, 2023. The UPC Code on the cases is 632565000043, while the UPC code on the individual bottles is 632565000012.

Fiji Water confirmed that they were alerted to a quality issue concerning discoloration in some products, stating, "Fiji Water is still safe to purchase and consume."

The company further said that Amazon's notification was “exaggerated”, expressing their belief that there is no health or safety concern. They are currently working with a third-party lab to investigate the quality issue.

This recall is categorized as Class III, implying that it’s “unlikely to lead to adverse health consequences,” as per FDA regulations. (A Class I recall, the most severe, indicates that a product can cause severe health problems or even death.)

Manganese is an element naturally found in various types of soil and rocks. It is vital for maintaining good health, but excessive amounts can affect the nervous system, resulting in behavioral modifications.

Elevated manganese levels can cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to damage to sperm and male reproduction issues in laboratory animals fed with high levels of the mineral.

Low levels of manganese are found in nuts, beans, and bottled and tap water. There is, however, a maximum allowable concentration of 0.05 milligrams per liter of manganese specified by the FDA for bottled water. The precise amount of manganese detected in the recalled bottles was not specified.

While bacteria in water has the potential to cause illness, the health risk largely depends on the type of bacteria. No further details were provided by either Fiji Water or the FDA.

A Fiji Water spokesperson stated to Health that the issue has been rectified.

The spokesperson clarified that it was a solitary customer issue and didn’t pose any health or safety threat. They emphasized that Fiji Water conducted thorough evaluations of manganese and bacteria levels, thereby ensuring no health or safety risks. The recall was considered necessary because the product did not meet their strict quality standards.

The spokesperson went on to say that immediate voluntary recall was initiated, with 99% of the affected bottles reclaimed and the remainder kept in warehouses for return. They reaffirmed, "At present, there are no concerns related to Fiji Water."

If you discover any of the affected water bottles or cases at home, it is suggested that you contact Fiji Water at 1.866.406.4149 for a refund and dispose of the water.